"He's gone out inter ther woods ter walk his mad off. When he got within strikin' distance o' ther cow camp last night his sand run out, and he started back. Then when he found that his birds had flown that was ther last kick what sent him down." "What's he goin' ter do now." "I reckon he'll make ther best o' what he's got now. Come, git up." Woofer spoke roughly to the two girls, and they arose. "Come along back to the cabin. Ther lootenant will be mighty glad ter see yer. One o' you sour doughs hunt up ther lootenant an' tell him ther lost is found." Ted saw that resistance was useless, and, taking the girls by the hand, he crossed the wide clearing between the woods and the cabin; at the door of which they arrived just as Barrows strode up. One of the soldiers was busy preparing breakfast, and the others were grouped around jesting about their night's work. The two girls were sent into the room in which Ted and Hallie had been taken the night before, but Ted was not confined, and was allowed to walk up and down in front of the cabin. Barrows did not attempt to hold conversation with any of them, but sat at his table with his head in his hand, thinking moodily. Evidently Barrows was an arrant coward. He had set out with the intention of ruining the Moon Valley herd, and killing all who attempted to resist him, but his courage had failed him. Ted saw hope in this, if the boys would only arrive on time. He thought over the conversation he had heard the night before on the arrival of Woofer and his companion at the cabin, with regard to his own fate. Evidently it meant something out of the ordinary, for it seemed to have given extreme pleasure to Woofer, for it was evidently the intention that all the advantage was to be with the cow-puncher. Well, it didn't matter much, so long as he had the ghost of a show himself. He was willing to take a long chance. Breakfast was announced, and, as the soldiers sat down to eat, the cook came out with three tin plates on which there were bacon and bread, and tin cups of coffee for the prisoners, and they sat down together in the shade of the cabin and ate their food gratefully, for they were very hungry. The meal was soon over, and Woofer began to strut up and down in front of the cabin. "I reckon here's where I get my revenge, ain't it, lootenant?" he said, stopping in front of Barrows. "Do what you please with him," said Barrows crossly, "but leave the girls alone." "I don't want but one gal, an' she's copper colored," laughed Woofer insultingly, walking to his horse, which was already saddled. "Now, young feller," he said to Ted, "I'm goin' ter give yer a chance fer yer white alley. I'm goin' ter try ter rope yer while yer dodges me. If I get yer, why--I'll drag yer, see?" Ted saw that he was to have no chance for his life whatever. He was to be afoot, while the other man was to ride and try to rope him, and, if he succeeded, drag him to death over the rough ground.